Care parcels for military

COPIES of The Northern Rivers Echo are included in parcels being sent to Lismore people serving in the Australian defence forces overseas.

The Lismore sub-branch of the RSL sends a dozen or more such parcels a year. They contain treats from home like Vegemite, peanut butter, chewing gum, personal items, a couple of novels, playing cards and a limited-edition tin of biscuits - Anzacs, of course.

"It's part of the RSL sub-branch's commitment to ongoing support," sub-branch president Wilson McClelland said.

"We send them to people on deployment overseas - but we need Lismore families to tell us about their relatives serving overseas before we can send them care parcels. It's important that families contact us with details like their relative's service number and where they are."

The care parcels are funded by the sub-branch, which has a welfare charter that includes assistance to serving and ex-serving members of the defence forces.

"We're forming a connection with them and most importantly, making sure they are aware that people back home are thinking of them and supporting them," Mr McClelland said.

If the response from one recipient of a care parcel from Lismore is any indication, the act of kindness is much appreciated.

"There is never a better feeling than receiving personal mail or packages from home," a specialist service officer from Lismore with the Australian Army in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, wrote.

"I had a bit of a laugh when I opened the package, as only an ex-soldier would know the importance of wet wipes, chapstick, a tasty snack and a decent read."

The Lismore RSL sub-branch also gives support to members through hospital and aged care visits and organising funerals, welfare and pensions, as well as organising the annual Anzac Day march in Lismore and the November 11 Remembrance Day commemoration.

The sub-branch office is part of the Lismore Memorial Baths building (on the left) and is open from Monday to Friday, 8-11am.